Dental syringe



Jan. 4, 1938. A F, ,DIEPER 2,104,670

DENTAL SYRINGE Filed Jan. 17, 1935 i NVENIOR onse Pwfr I l l l A l %w ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 4, 1938 I'T'ED S TATE-S PATENT OFFICE 13 Claims.

The present invention relates to -fsyringes of the type used, for example, yby vthe dental profession and `has for -its object to provide improved valve means for controlling vor regulating the flcwfoi :the 'fluid inorder toprovide for a gradual increase in thedischargethere'of from the nozzle during initial operation of the syringe to insure a smooth and even flow ofthe iluid as distinguished from theusual rapid 'discharge -of the same when opening the valve.

A further objectof the inventionis to provide in combination with means for operating or controlling'the: fluid valve, an improved device actuatedby said means in advance of the full or complete opening ofthe valveto effect closing lof the circuit of an electric heater associated with the syringe for heating the fluid discharged by the nozzle.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved operating means for the switch under control of the valve operating means.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved regulating means for the valve which can be set or adjusted to different positions to vary the extent of movement of the valve whereby to provide for a definite or xed rate of flow of the fiuid under dilTerent voperating conditions.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved means for preventing accidental displacement of the valve regulating means from the different positions to which it may be adjusted.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a syringe 'of the present type, improved structural features and arrangements of parts for heating and controlling the flow of the fluid.

A further object of the invention is to provide a syringe having an etlicient, practical, and economical form of construction which can be con veniently handled and controlled in operation.

To these and other ends the invention resides in certain improvements and combinations of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at 'the end of the specication.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary longitudinal section through a syringe embodying one form of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section taken substantiallycn lines 2-2 of Figs. l and 4.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary part sectional view showing the lluid .control valve in open position and the switch for controlling the heater circuit in closed position;

(Cl. 12S- 257) Fig. 4 is a transverse section taken substantially on line 4 -41o'f Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is a detailed view of the iluid Acontrol valve drawn to an enlarged scale;

Fig. 6 is airagmentar-y sectional view takenon line -S of Fig. l and illustrating a portion of the means 'for holding the valve regulating means in adjusted position, and

Fig. 7 is a detailed View ofthe yieldable retaining or holding member -for the adjustable regulating means.

The same reference numerals throughout the several views indicate the same parts.

A syringe constructed in accordance with the present invention vembodies va head or body portion vIll on which is tted a tubular `hand grip II affording a housing for the extension `I2 of the head and parts carried bythe extension and described hereinafter. The head is recessedto `receive the lcasing I3 containing vthe heating elementfdesignated generally by the 'reference numeral I4. The casing I3 `is provided with a detachable mounting element |55 `for receiving and supporting the nozzle :I'Bthrough which the heated iluid such, for example, as air, is discharged.

The heating element may be of any well known or preferred design and includes a heating coil, not shown, electrically connected with the relatively short conductors II and I8 under control of a switch in the housing Il described hereinafter.

The air or other uid to be heated is supplied under pressure yfrom asuitable source, not shown, through the conduit I 9 having its outlet end suitably secured within va sleeve 20 carried by the inner end of the extension I2 of the head I0 of the syringe. The sleeve 2U carries a tubular member 2| communicating at one end with the conduit I9 and at the other end with the tubular portion 22 of extension I2, said tubular portion being in communication with the valve chamber 23 of the head through the inlet port 24 of a hollow screw plug 25 forming a closure for the valve chamber as shown in Fig. l.

The uid control valve includes a tapered head 26 normally held on its correspondingly tapered seat by a spring V21 kwithin the recess of the plug 25 the spring having its outer end seated in the plug and its inner end on the valve, the latter having a reduced portion 28 extending within the spring to maintain the spring in position upon thhe valve.

The valve head has a relatively long tapered extension 29 positioned within a transverse recess 30 within which is disposed the operating stem of the valve, said stern comprising the inner and outer portions 3l and 32, respectively. The outer portion of the stem is guided by a sleeve 33 secured within and projecting from the head lil, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3 a fluid tight seal being afforded between the sleeve and the outer portion of the stem. The outer end of the stem is provided with an operating member 34 suitably connected therewith as by means of the screw The inner portion of the stem is of less diameter than the recess 30, whereby to provide clearance for the passage of the uid through the latter to the longitudinally extending passage 36 leading to the recess 31 in the outer end of the body portion le which recess is at all times in communication with the interior of the heater casing so that the fluid is permitted to pass around and to enter the heater through the opening 38 therein for circulation therethrough around the heating coil before discharging to the nozzle.

The fluid passage 36 is formed preferably by drilling through that portion of the head lying between the recess in which the valve stem is disposed and the outer recess 31 for receiving the inner end of the heater casing, the inner end of the recess 36 being closed by a screw plug 33a. Communication between the recess 36 and the valve stem recess 30 is afforded by drilling from the outside of the head transversely through the passage to the recess 30, the outer end of the passage thus formed being closed by a screw plug 39a.

Passages |1a and I8a are also provided Within the head for receiving the insulated conductors l1 and I8, respectively, said conductors comprising a part of the circuit connections for supplying ciu'rent to the heater.

Switch means for effecting closure of the heating coil circuit is provided, which means comprises a yieldable or spring-like arm 39 connected at one end with the sleeve 20 and having at its other end a contact 40 for engaging a similar contact 4I on a metal part 42 with which the conductor I1 is connected, as shown in Fig. 2. The part 42 is carried by insulation 43 secured on the extension 22 of the head I0 by the screws 44. lThe other conductor I8 is suitably connected with the tubular member 2| which is separated from the sleeve 20 by the insulation 21a, Fig. 1. The wires for completing the circuit through the heating coil when the switch is closed are not shown but are preferably carried through the conduit i9, one being suitably connected with the tubular member 2l and the other with the surrounding insulated sleeve 20.

The operating means for the switch comprises the inner and outer telescoping tubular members 45 and 46, respectively, carrying a spring 41 for urging them in opposite directions, the inner member bearing against a strip of insulating material 48 on the spring-like arm 39 of the switch and the outer member being seated upon the inner face of the Valve operating member 34, as shown in Fig. 3. The outer telescoping member 45 is supported by and guided in a sleeve 49 suitably secured in the head l0 of the syringe, as shown in Fig. 3.

From this arrangement of parts it will be seen that if the operating part 34 of the valve is moved inwardly to effect opening of the valve the resilient switch arm 39 will be moved inwardly to the switch closing position shown in Fig. 3 by the telescoping members 45 and 46 at which time the spring 41 will be compressed. It

will also be apparent that after the switch has been closed, continued inward movement of the valve can be elfected by applying pressure on the operating part 34 whereby the tapered portion 29 of the valve will continue to move also, without interruption of the gradual increase in the flow of the fluid through the heater to the nozzle.

Upon release of the valve operating member the valve will be returned to closed position by the spring 21 and at the same time the resilient switch arm 39 will return to normal position and will move the inner telescoping member 45 outwardly in the sleeve 49, the outer telescoping member being then moved to normal position by the spring 41.

The regulating means for controlling the extent of movement of the valve when operating the same comprises an adjustable member 50 extending transversely through the head I0 of the syringe and being threaded therein at 5| and provided with an operating portion 52 lying beneath the heater casing I3 on the opposite side of the head from the valve operating member 34. In this position the part 52 can be conveniently gripped by the ngers and turned when it is desired to change it from one adjusted position to another at such times as it may be desired to vary the rate of flow of the fluid to the nozzle by regulating the extent of movement of the tapered portion 29 in the fluid passage 3U.

Means is provided for holding the adjustable regulator against accidental displacement from whatever position it may be adjusted to, for the purpose of limiting the operating movement of the valve. This means preferably comprises a ring-shaped member 53 surrounding the regulating member within the head Iii and having a yieldable or spring-like member 54 projecting therefrom and provided with a longitudinally extending V-shaped part 55, preferably formed integral with the member 54 by striking it outwardly therefrom. The part 55 is yieldably held in one of the grooves or notches 5G of an enlarged portion 51 of'the regulator 59, as best shown in Fig. 6, but does not interfere with the proper adjustment of the regulator when sufcient pressure is employed to rotate the same in the desired direction. However, the frictional resistance offered by the V-shaped part 55 of the springlike member 54 to rotation of the regulator' is suificient to prevent the latter from being accidentally turned or displaced through engagement with any moving parts which may accidentally contact with the finger grip 52 from time to time.

It will be noted that the grooved portion 51 of the regulator and the spring-like member 54 engaging the same are housed in a recess 58 formed in the head l0 of the syringe whereby intorference with the proper functioning of the yieldable member by external means is prevented during operation of the syringe.

By providing the Valve with a relatively7 long and gradually tapered portion in the fluid outlet pas-sage 3F; said portion will, when being moved rearwardly in and from said passage, afford a very gradual increase in the size of the opening through which the fluid is permitted to flow from the valve chamber to the nozzle. This will result in a smooth, even and gradually increased flow of the fluid with a resultant gradual increase in the size of the stream discharging in the mouth of the patient at each operation of the valve, as :'siinguished from the usual and objectionable Cil rapid increase in the rate of flow when using the ordinary type of valve.

I claim:

l. A syringe comprising a body portion provided with a valve chamber having fluid inlet and outlet passages, a nozzle connected with said body portion and communicating with said outlet passage, a valve inv said chamber for closing said outlet passage including a tapered extension movable within the outlet passage when opening the valve whereby to provide for a gradual increase in the flow of the uid through the outlet passage to the nozzle, operating means for the valve, and means adjustable on said body portion for cooperation with said operating means to vary the extent of movement of the valve operated thereby whereby to vary the rate of discharge of the iiuid to the nozzle under different operating conditions.

2. A syringe comprising a body portion provided with a valve chamber having fluid inlet and outlet passages, a nozzle connected with said body portion and communicating with said outlet passage, a valve in said chamber for closing said outlet passage including a tapered extension movable within the outlet passage when opening the valve to provide for a gradual increase in the flow of the fluid through the outlet passage to the nozzle, operating means for the valve, means adjustable on said body portion for cooperation with said operating means to vary the extent of movement of the valve operated thereby whereby to vary the rate of discharge of the iiuid to the nozzle under different operating conditions, and yieldable means associated with said adjustable means for holding it against accidental displacement from its different positions of adjustment.

3. A syringe comprising a body portion provided with a valve chamber having iiuid inlet and outlet passages, a nozzle connected with saidy body portion and communicating with said outlet passage, a valve in said chamber for closing said outlet passage including a tapered extension movable within the outlet passage when opening the valve to provide for a gradual increase in the flow of the fluid through the outlet passage to the nozzle, operating means for the valve, an element threadedly mounted on said body portion for adjustment to different positions relative thereto and for cooperation with said operating means to vary the extent of movement of the valve operated thereby whereby to vary the rate of discharge of the fluid to the nozzle under different operating conditions, said element having a series of grooves formed therein, and a yieldable member secured on said body portion and having a part for engaging said element within said grooves to hold the element against accidental displacement from the different positions to which it is adjusted.

4. A syringe comprising a body portion provided with a valve chamber having fluid inlet and outlet passages, a nozzle connected with said body portion and communicating with said outlet passage, a valve in said chamber for closing said outlet passage including a tapered extension movable Withinthe outlet passage to afford a gradual increase in the ow of the iiuid to the outlet passage when opening the valve, operating means for the valve, an element extending through said body portion and rotatably adjustable therein for cooperation with the valve operating means to vary the extent of movement of the valve wheieby to vary the rate of flow of the iluid to the nozzle under different operating conditions, said body portion having a recess formed therein around said element, and a member housed in said recess and having a yieldable part frictionally engaging said element within the recess to prevent accidental displacement thereof.

5. A syringe comprising a body portion provided With a valve chamber having fluid inlet and outlet passages, a nozzle connected with said body portion and communicating with said outlet passage, a valve in said chamber for closing said outlet passage including a tapered extension movable within the outlet passage to aiioi'd a gradual increase in the flow of the fluid to the outlet passage when opening the valve, operating means for the valve, an adjustable element threaded in said body portion and extending on opposite sides thereof, one end of said element having an operating portion and the other serving to engage the operating means to limit the extent of movement of the valve when opening the same, said body portion having a recess formed therein around said adjustable element and the latter having a plurality of abutments formed thereon, and yieldable means disposed within said recess and cooperating with said abutments to prevent accidental displacement of said adjustable ement.

6. A syringe comprising a body portion provided with a valve chamber having fluid inlet and outlet passages, a valve in said chamber including a tapered extension movable within said outlet passage when opening the valve whereby to provide for a gradual increase in the flow of the fluid through the outlet passage, a casing connected with said body portion and communieating with said outlet passage, a nozzle connected with said casing and communicating therewith, an electric heater within the casing for heating the iiuid discharging therethrough to the nozzle, circuit connections for the heater, a normally open switch interposed in said connections, and means including' relatively movable telescoping parts actuated by the valve operating means for closing the switch in advance of movement of the valve to full open position.

7. A syringe comprising a body portion provided with a valve chamber having fluid inlet and outlet passages, a valve movable in said chamber to open and close said outlet passage, operating means for the valve, a casing connected with said body portion and communicating with said outlet passage, a nozzle connected with said casing and communicating therewith, an electric heater within the casing for heating the fluid discharging therethrough to the nozzle, circuit connections for the heater, a normally open switch interposed in said connections, and means actuated by the valve operating means for closing the switch in advance of movement of the valve to full open position, said switch closing means comprising parts mounted for movement one upon another and having resilient means therebetween for moving one of the parts to normal position relative to another upon return of the valve operating means to normal position.

8. A syringe comprising a body portion provided with a valve chamber having fluid inlet and outlet passages, a valve. movable in said chamber to open and close said outlet passage, operating means for the valve, a casing connected with said body portion and communicating with said outlet passage, a nozzle connected with said casing and communicating therewith, an electric heater within the casing for heating the iluid discharging therethrough to the nozzle, circuit connections for the` heater, a normally open switch interposed in said connections including a resilient closing element automatically returning to normal position upon release, and a device actuated by movement of the valve operating means for moving said element to closing position in advance oi movement of the valve to full open position c Ang relatively movable parts having resilien means for moving one of the parts to normal pos..r on and another oi said parts being returned to ormai position by said resilient element upon "etui n of the valve operating means to normal inoperative position.

A syr' ige comprising a body portion provided with a valve chamber having iiuid inlet and outlet passages, a valve movable in said chamber open and close said outlet passage, operating means or the valve extending laterally from said body portio a casing connected with said body portion communicating with said outlet passage, a nozzle connected with said casing and commimicatiag therewith, an electric heater within the casing for heating the fluid discharging there `ough to the nozzle, circuit connections for the heater within said body portion, a normally open switch interposed in said connections within said body portion including a movable closing element, operating means for said closing element comprising relatively movable parts interposed between said element and a portion of the valve operating means for operation by the latter when opening the valve, and resilient means tending to move said parts in opposite directions and operating to return one of said relatively movable parts to normal position upon return of the valve operating means to normal inoperative position.

l0. A syringe comprising a body portion provided with a valve chamber having fluid inlet and outlet passages, a valve movable in said chamber to open and close said outlet passage, operating means fcr the valve extending laterally from said body portion, a casing connected with said body portion and communicating with said outlet passage, a nozzle connected with said casing communicating therewith, an electric heatwithin the casing for heating the fluid discharging therethrough to the nozzle, circuit connections for the heater within said body portion, a neri ly open switch interposed in said connections with'n said body portion including a movable clonlg element, operating means for said closi' g element comprising telescoping parts movable one upon another between said movable closing cie' and a portion of said valve operating mean said telescoping parts having resiien.f means therein for returning the parts to n al po on upon return of the valve operating means to normal valve closing position, and guide means on said body portion for one of said telescoping parts.

il. A syringe comprising a body portion provided with a valve chamber hav'ng iluid inlet and outlet passages, a valve movable in said chamber to open and close said outlet passage, operating means for the valve including a stem extending laterally from the body portion and having an operating part thereon, a casing connected with said body portion and communicating with said outlet passage, a nozzle conected with said casing and communicating therewith, an electric heater within the casing for heating uid discharging therethrough to the nozzle, circuit connections for the heater within said body portion, a normally open switch interposed in said connections within said body portion including a resilient closing member for the switch extending longitudinally of said body portion, a sleeve extending laterally irom said body portion opposite said closing member, inner and outer operating members for closing members disposed in said sleeve, one engaging said resilient closing member and the other engaging the operating part on said valve stem, said operating members being actuated by said operating part when opening the valve, and a spring interposed between said inner and outer operating members for moving one to normal position relative to another upon return or" the valve to closed position.

l2. A syringe comprising a casing having a uid passage and having a nozzle connected therewith, a valve normally closing said passage, actuating means ior the valve extending from the casing, an electric heater within the Casing for heating the fluid, circuit connections for the heater, a normally open switch interposed in said connections including a movable contact member, and means extending from the casing for moving said Contact member to closed position comprising a resilient element operated under tension by the valve actuating means to effeet closing of the switch in advance of movement of the valve to full open position, the valve actuating means operating upon further movement of the valve therebt7 to increase the tension of said resilient element, the latter facilitating return of the valve to closed position upon releasing the valve actuating means.

13. A syringe comprising a casing having a fluid passage and having a nozzle connected therewith, a valve normally closing said passage, operating means for the valve extending from the casing, an electric heater within the casing for heating the fluid, circuit connections for the heater, a normally open switch interposed in said connections including a. movable Contact member, and means extending from the casing for moving said contact member to closed position comprising relatively movable parts movable one longitudinally of another, said parts responding to inward movement of the valve operating means to effect closing or the contact member in advance o movement of the valve to full open position and one of the parts further respending to the valve operating means during inward movement thereof subsequent to the closing of the switch.

ALPHONSE F. PIEPER. 

